God's love

His love is immutable, incomprehensible, immeasurable, impartial, and irresistible.

His love is a source of strength and a stronghold in times of trouble.

His love is faithful, flowing, fulfilling, final, forgiving, and forever.

His love never relinquishes, never fails, never disappoints, and never forsakes.

His love is unconditional, uncontainable, undeniable, unchangeable, unparalleled, and unprecedented.

For God so loved the world. . .

He loved all men, all women, all children, all personalities, all races, all ages, and all nationalities.

For God so loved the world that He gave. . .

His gift reconciles, redeems, and rescues.

His gift is an act of grace and an act of mercy.

His gift is undeserved and irresistible.

His gift is grounded in His love.

He gave His very best, sacrificially — He gave His Son.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son. . .

His only Son: The Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, Christ!

His only Son: The Faithful and True, the Great High Priest, the Holy One of God, Immanuel!

His only Son: The Lamb of God, Messiah!

His only Son: The Prince of Peace, the Ransom for many, the Suffering Servant, Savior!

His only Son. . .Jesus!

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes. . .

All who believe bear His Name and are adopted into His family.

All who believe are near to God, are new creations in Christ, and have God’s Spirit living within them.

All who believe have peace and riches in Christ and are strong and transformed in Christ.

All who believe are forgiven and saved.

All who believe have eternal life and a hope for tomorrow.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

All who believe have victory over death in Christ, a hope and an inheritance, and eternal life with God.

Heaven will be the city of the Living God, a better and lasting possession, an eternal inheritance, the Kingdom of Light, the Kingdom that cannot be shaken, the Kingdom of God and Christ, and the paradise of God Almighty.

In Heaven we will enjoy complete moral purity and divine sustenance, and will be free from sin and death.

We will have glorified bodies, immortality, and joy beyond measure.

All our needs will be satisfied, we will share in Christ’s Glory, we will be like Christ, and we will have intimate, eternal fellowship with God, with Christ, and with those who love Him.

This Christmas, join me in focusing on our God, the Greatest Gift-Giver of all, who gave the Greatest Gift to all. . .Jesus Christ!

In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. (NIV) John 1:4 & 9

During Christmas time in America the lights are on. Decorations dot the landscape that are ablaze with light. As we approach our fourth week of advent, we anticipate the arrival of the Light of the World. And yet how many people are truly “a-light” with Jesus Christ?

Jesus Christ is the Light of the World. Whoever follows Him “will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. (John 3:19-20)

Jesus said: “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” (John 12:46)

Jesus said: “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:5)

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; (John 11:25)

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

Jesus said: “I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.” (John 6:47)

There is no greater love than the love we see in God sending His Son to become man. . . and to lay down His life for His friends, for us. In Jesus is life, and that life is the light of men. As Christmas approaches share that Light today with someone who is in the darkness.

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (NIV) John 8:12

The Advent wreath is a Christmas symbol composed of a wreath of evergreen, shaped in a circle, with 3 purple and 1 rose or pink candle placed around the evergreen with a white candle placed in the middle of the wreath. Evergreens were an ancient symbol of immortality, life and growth, and the everlasting love of God. The shape of the wreath, a circle, symbolizes the unending eternity of God.

Each Sunday a different candle is lit. On the first, second and fourth Sundays, a purple candle is lit. The Rose candle is lit on the third Sunday symbolizing the joy surrounding the impending birth of Jesus. Traditionally on Christmas Eve the advent wreath in church will have a white candle in the middle, known as the Christ candle. White symbolizes purity and joy. When the 4 candles from the previous weeks are lit along with the Christ candle, it is symbolic of the coming of God’s presence overcoming darkness in the world with the arrival of Christ the Messiah (Isaiah.9:2).

God sent His son Jesus to be a light to us. He provides the one and only way through the darkness of this world. He came to shine a light in the darkness and cause the evil things to be exposed, to scurry away and hide.

Who are you walking with? Are you still in the darkness? Do you want to walk in the light? Listen to Jesus. By faith believe that He is your Savior…for He is the one who said: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

It’s amazing how so many things that we take for granted in the US that are special treats for our kids in Lesotho. I’m not sure that I’ve ever enjoyed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich as much as I did on my last visit to Lesotho. I know that their smiles made the sandwiches taste extra yummy! The next time you sit down (or drive through) to grab a quick bite remember how precious a simple pb&j is to kids across the globe! ~ Mike

A drink and a bite to eat brings a smileLove the stacks of pb&j’s!!!!Oh, this precious face!Winter packs from Anchor Your Life and Up With Down’s. These sweet and grateful children is why we do what we do

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” – J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. (NIV) Psalms 100:5

When everything around me is shifting and changing. . .when people’s actions and character seem to be changing . . . when it seems that no one’s word is good. . . when those I could always depend upon let me down. . . there is one unchanging fact – I am assured that God does not change. His love for me never changes. . . His nature is unchanging throughout eternity. Therefore, I can depend on Him and not be disappointed.

God’s Word never changes. His promises to me are reliable. When it seems like God is acting contrary to His nature I go back to the Bible and see the Truth about His nature and His promises.

Are you trusting more in your own efforts than in God’s faithfulness? How are you looking at circumstances and believing that they are “true” rather than in God’s promises? Do you really believe that God will be faithful to you? or do I think that God is like other people, saying one thing, but not really meaning it? What promises has God given you from His Word that He wants you to claim today?

Remember, when all of life seems to be changing, God’s faithfulness to you remains true!